Le Boulanger des Invalides Jocteur

One of my favorite spots in Paris was this darling boulangerie, Le Boulanger des Invalides Jocteur. I stumbled upon by chance my third day (a Saturday) in the city, as I was going to buy peonies, and it quickly became my Saturday morning go-to. I took my Saturday traditions in Paris veryseriously. Located in the 7eme, a block from the Musée Rodin and directly across the street from the Saint François-Xavier metro station on the M13 line (which left from my metro stop, making it was a straight shot), this little bakery and café is without a doubt the cheeriest, most delightful place I found in Paris. Painted bubblegum pink and staffed by a stable of beautiful French men, it was the perfect spot to grab a table and read in the mornings over a big cup of Mariage Frères tea and a brioche tartine or an eclair praline. Pralines in Paris are always candied with pink sugar, so even the food matched the decor of Le Boulander des Invalides Jocteur. They make all of their pains et patisseries on-site, and I’m not being hyperbolic when I say their brioche is the best I’ve ever eaten. The ceiling is painted with a fresco of angels and clouds, there’s always sweet music playing, and it felt truly local; people would stop in to say hello to the waiters, shake hands, kiss both cheeks, ask how things were going. I like to think I became somewhat of a regular, too.

They do a good take-away business for lunch, since there is a high school across the street (side note: Parisian high school girls dress better than I do!), and while I only ate there for breakfast (if you can call an eclair at 10:30am ‘breakfast’), their pizza slices and quiches looked delicious. Next time!

if i still wasn’t so full this morning from binge eating last night in front of the television for three hours this would be making my stomach growl. i truly very, very rarely miss eating wheat products, but show me a french bakery and my heart breaks a tiny bit. do they have gluten-free options in paris?!

ErinJuly 7, 2014 at 9:54 AM

Haha, I’m embarrassed to admit that no matter how full I am, these photos will always make my mouth water. There are at least two gluten-free bakeries in Paris that I know of! Here’s one and when I dig up the other, I’ll send it to you! As long as cheese is gluten-free though, you’d be fine in Paris ;) xo

How could you not love this place? It’s covered in BREAD (the best kind of decor). I think I could live there. Seriously I’d have to live there because I wouldn’t be able to squeeze back out the doorway

ErinJuly 7, 2014 at 10:20 AM

I almost stayed there. I mean, I almost stayed in Paris in general, but this place was impossible to drag myself out of every time, especially on my last Saturday there. I loved it so much! xo

These are breathtaking photos, and you are definitely making me miss Paris! I read an earlier post of yours about returning to the states after living in Paris. It’ll break your heart a little, I won’t lie (I lived in London last year and returned to California). However, I think you’ll start to realize that you’ll always have that second home, and it will always be yours. Hope things are going well for you, as I’ve been there!

ErinJuly 8, 2014 at 8:02 AM

Merci, Ashley! It definitely stabs at the heart having to leave a place so beautiful and where you feel happiest –it’s impossible not to in a city like Paris!–but there are perks to coming home :) You’re right, it will always me “mine” and I can visit it as often as I’d like! Things haven’t been too tough so far. Yet. ;) xo

saturday morning rituals are the best and *should* be taken seriously {especially when they involve brioche and/or eclaires}. looks like a charming little boulangerie and i can imagine you miss it – hopefully u.s. donuts make up for it?

ErinJuly 8, 2014 at 8:03 AM

A girl after my own heart. I have a wedding dress to fit into this September, but after that? All bets are off on the brioche/eclairs/donuts for breakfast ban I’m currently enacting :) xo